This month’s Get to Know Your Neighbor features Maggie Carroll, newest president of the Broadmoor Improvement Association (BIA). BIA is one of the oldest neighborhood associations in New Orleans. Established in 1930 as the Broadmoor Civic Improvement Association to address the needs of the developing Broadmoor neighborhood, it was incorporated in 1970 as the Broadmoor Improvement Association, Inc. to stop “blockbusting” in Broadmoor which was at the time a well-established, multi-racial/multi-ethnic community already living in harmony. Since that time, the BIA has worked continuously to improve the neighborhood - stopping commercialization in the residential core, reducing crime, and ensuring that educational and civic organizations thrive. The BIA works closely with the city government and has represented Broadmoor residents in numerous cases concerning zoning and other issues. The BIA is here to address the needs of the residents by engaging the community and building consensus among residents as to their vision for a revitalized neighborhood. Broadmoor has become a model for citizen-led recovery efforts.
How long have you been a resident of the Broadmoor neighborhood?
My husband and I brought our home in 2002, (13 years old). Originally we rented in the Uptown neighborhood but loved the diversity of the Broadmoor neighborhood.
When did you join Broadmoor Improvement Association?
I joined the association two days after moving into our new home when a neighborhood stopped over with a cake and a BIA membership form, urging the new homeowners to get engaged; by 2005 I had become an active board member of the association.
What do you love most about your neighborhood?
I love that Broadmoor is a diverse and affordable neighborhood and is a true representation of the city’s population and culture. Broadmoor offers several amenities including a Education Corridor which offers community programming for all ages.
What successes have Broadmoor Improvement Association had over the years?
For more than a century, our residential neighborhood has lived and thrived in the geographic heart of New Orleans. Broadmoor flooded badly in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. A Bring New Orleans Back Commission preliminary report map showed Broadmoor as a suggested area to be turned into park land; this suggestion is strongly objected to by residents. With many questioning our community's survival, we rallied to become a model for disaster recovery. The association held over 100 community meetings with residents and stakeholder to develop the Broadmoor Redevelopment Plan. From that plan the Broadmoor Education Corridor was born, a community nexus of educational and cultural institutions including four main anchors: the Andrew H. Wilson Charter School, Rosa F. Keller Library & Community Center, South Broad Community Health as well as the future Arts & Wellness Center. Most recently, the South Broad Community Clinic opened at the corner of Washington Ave. and South Broad Ave. The clinic will offer affordable primary healthcare to Broadmoor and the surrounding areas. View a complete list of programming offered along the Education Corridor.
What challenges does your neighborhood currently face?
Despite our many successes, Broadmoor is still plagued with the same issues as many other neighborhoods including eradicating blight, aging infrastructure and combating neighborhood crime. Recently, BIA established a Quality of Life Committee to work with City Agencies and non-profit partners to address their issues.
Are there any upcoming events or projects in the neighborhood?
On Saturday, March 21, 2015, BIA held “Metamorphosis” a fundraiser to support our new Arts & Wellness Center and an opportunity to celebrate this next stage of the Broadmoor community's transformation. During the event, guests took part in a community art-making process that will eventually be installed in the atrium of the Arts and Wellness Center. BIA is still seeking donations to assist with the operational cost of opening the new center which is expected to open this summer. The new Arts and Wellness Center will include 1) workshop and studio space for practicing artists; 2) education for aspiring artists and creative professionals; 3) office space for arts organizations and non-profits; 4) affordable youth arts education; 5) counseling, yoga and fitness. For more information or to donate to the Arts and Wellness Center please contact Emily Wolff, 504-481-7998 fineartsandwellness@gmail.com.
Do you have any advice for other neighborhood leaders?
As a leader, the best advice I can offer other leaders is to be an active listener. At times, leaders can get so distracted by the work that we miss the opportunity to develop other leaders.
For more information on the Broadmoor Improvement Association please visit the association website: www.broadmoorimprovement.com.